Claire Sahara Illustration – Gravitating towards beauty, nostalgia, nature, the familiar

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HOMEBo Brallier2021-07-15T15:52:02+00:00

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The bits and bobs: thoughts, updates, creative process.

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The bits and bobs: Thoughts, updates, creative process.

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CLAIRE SAHARA

clairesahara

I mentioned recently that I would share more about

I mentioned recently that I would share more about my process. So I wanted to start here!

The most helpful thing I’ve done for myself in my art practice this year is to dedicate a large sketchbook for brainstorming/messy sketches. The messier, the better. I always start here with heavy-handed, loose, expressive sketching. It’s a place to get ideas down, not to be too precious about my line work or other things that I can worry about later on. The funny thing is, these are some of my favorite sketches; they are quite free and full of life! If you struggle with feeling a lot of pressure around your sketchbook or whatever else you create in/with—may I suggest setting aside some space for play and mess. I think you might discover more beauty than you thought there (or at least realize you don’t have to take yourself too seriously to create + have fun). Your inner child is probably longing for this.

📸: @riahbethphoto

#artprocess #artistsprocess #illustrationprocess #wip #workinprogress #sketches #loosesketches #sketchbooktour

#fancyladyfriday Soft light in Annecy And FINI! T

#fancyladyfriday Soft light in Annecy

And FINI! To this year-long project of fancy ladies! I have many thoughts and reflections, but will save them for another time as we are moving. Today. Always good to plan all of the things in the same month/week, ya know?! I am ready to rest, and also so fueled to continue exploring this illustrative path. You may still see a fancy lady pop up here once in a while on a Friday morn ✨ But look out for some new things, there is a whole world out there

#annecy #annecyfrance #lacdannecy #france🇫🇷 #traveltheworld #painttheworld #pleinairpainting #landscapepainting #characterdesign #gouacheillustration #watercolorillustration #kidlitart #illustree #duluthloveslocal #mnartist #fini #womenofillustration #clairesaharaillustration #whimsicalart #whimsy #illustrationjourney

Supposedly I have just one #fancyladyfriday to go

Supposedly I have just one #fancyladyfriday to go after a YEAR of doing them weekly. I didn’t know I would make this a year-long project until it just started to become one. I have no idea what to make, but I’m feeling very reflective on it all today. Saying yes to something I love and wanted to do more seriously required me to show up in ways I didn’t think I could, but also brought me so much life. I have excitement and hope as I look ahead at continuing to paint, grow in new things, and make more messes. But somebody help, send suggestions, because I’m feeling all sorts of pressure for this last week of our ladies 😅

📸: @riahbethphoto

#fancyladyfriday #mnartist #clairesaharaillustration

#fancyladyfriday Lady Superior Really wanted to

#fancyladyfriday Lady Superior

Really wanted to finish this painting from the spot at Pincushion in Grand Marais that I plunked myself down in. We have been in such a moving flurry these days that I haven’t had a lot of time, and so—-no human, but I think she counts.

Wishing you a weekend where you can plop yourself down somewhere and take in a deep breath and some beauty ✨

#ladysuperior #lakesuperior #northshorelakesuperior #pincushionoverlook #grandmaraismn #grandmarais #duluthloveslocal #mnartist #alltheseillustrations #illustratorsoninstagram #landscapeart #gouache #gouachepainting #kidlitart #northshoremn

Driving back from my first-ever time participating

Driving back from my first-ever time participating in an art fair (in one of my favorite places, Grand Marais) ✨It filled me up so much to share my work in person. It was a treat to meet new people and hear new stories (and to share some of my own story). I loved watching, and was curious about, who was drawn into my work. I find that there is a special spark in someone’s eyes as they are brought into a feeling or memory or place of wonder, and it was fun to see some of my pieces do that. There were also many who walked right on by!

This piece in particular seemed to catch more attention than others. I was told over and over that it brought memories of specific places people had spent time in. Amongst those mentioned were areas of Alaska, Scotland, England, France, the north shore of Lake Superior, and even Australia. I loved that, and it surprised me.

For those who came out to say hello and support my and others’ work this weekend, thank you ✨

#illustrationartists #illustree #illustrationoftheday #rockycoast #adventureawaits #adventuretime #adventureart #landscapepainting #landscapeart #mnartist #northshorelakesuperior #lakesuperior #slowart #gouachepainting #gouachelandscape

#fancyladyfriday Grand Marais skies Hope to see

#fancyladyfriday Grand Marais skies

Hope to see some of you this weekend at the arts festival!

#grandmaraismn #grandmarais #wispyclouds #gouachepainting #watercolorillustration #mnartist #northshorelakesuperior #kidlitart #northshoremn #landscapepainting #illustree #illustrated #duluthloveslocal #grandmaraisartsfestival

I asked @riahbethphoto if she’d be willing to ca

I asked @riahbethphoto if she’d be willing to capture some of my illustration work because I’m “very bad at taking photos, especially of myself.”

Truthfully, I don’t know if I have the words to tell you how much more these photos capture + speak to this deeply challenging and yet beautiful season of my life. There is so much light and emotion in them. I can’t wait to share more. Thank you Riah

📸 @riahbethphoto

#fancyladyfriday feat. Idun! (who won the giveaway

#fancyladyfriday feat. Idun! (who won the giveaway a few weeks back)

So honored to paint this thoughtful, resilient, full-of-life lady. In her own words, here are some of the things she sent me as we envisioned the painting:

“I hike a lot of mountains here where I live in Ålesund in Norway....I love nature and taking in what’s around me.”

“Mountains and water are important to me as I live by fjords and I absolutely love what nature can give me in terms of a calm mind and a sense of adventure”

“The last year has been very transformative for me and I’ve worked a lot on loving myself and finding my path...hiking and being in nature has really been my way of working through everything.”

#holbeinacrylagouache #gouacheillustration #illustrationartists #illustree #illustrationgram #landscapepainting #norway🇳🇴 #travelart #traveltheworld #fjordsofnorway #fjord #commissionedart #mnartist #womenofillustration #carveouttimeforart #naturepainting #natureart #mountainlife #hikingadventures

Officially closed on this little place yesterday!

Officially closed on this little place yesterday! An off-market find complete with a mint green penny tile bathroom and chicken coop in the backyard ✨ We are a little overwhelmed to move this month (and will miss our apartment with it’s incredible view of the lake and good memories)...but oh-so happy to have found a home in the city we love. I will also have my own studio! So stoked!

A Max and Claire, spotted! Gideon almost knocked o

A Max and Claire, spotted! Gideon almost knocked over the arbor during the vows, but we had had a blast at Henry + Claire’s beautiful Bozeman wedding (and yes, both Lemp kids married a Claire).

#fancyladyfriday exhale #watercolorillustration

#fancyladyfriday exhale

#watercolorillustration #traditionalillustration #traditionalart #illustrationoftheday #illustrationgram #yogi #yogateacher #yogaeveryday #yogaart #mnartist #womenwhocreate #womeninthearts #illustrationartists #yogapractice #exhale

#fancyladyfriday chef de cuisine #watercolorillus

#fancyladyfriday chef de cuisine

#watercolorillustration #danielsmithwatercolors #illustrationartists #kidlitillustration #kitcheninspiration #kitchenqueen #kitchendesign #chef #cooking #castiron #foodieforlife #mnartist #duluthloveslocal #slowfood #slowandsimpledays #chefdecuisine